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January 28, 2009

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Cook County Commissioner Mike Quigley, running to succeed Rahm Emanuel in Congress, received a key endorsement from one of the leading reform-minded figures in Chicago-area government.

His fellow county commissioner Forrest Claypool, who has led the fight against higher taxes and bloated budgets, gave his colleague a seal of approval this morning.

"No one has fought the old, failed politics of Todd Stroger longer or more effectively than Mike Quigley," Claypool said. "Mike is just the kind of ally President Obama needs in Congress to change America."

Quigley is one of the leading contenders a crowded Democratic primary for Emanuel’s seat. His biggest competition comes from state Rep. Sara Feigenholtz, state Rep. John Fritchey and Chicago City Council Alderman Patrick O’Connor. The special election primary will be held on March 3.

With the Blagojevich scandal looming large in Illinois, most of the leading candidates in the crowded Democratic primary have been running on the mantle of reform.